When I was studying modern history I used to say that early 20th century Europe was like a dysfunctional family. That wasn’t simply me being cheeky; they were in fact family and I would consider going to war on your family quite dysfunctional.

Take George V of Britain and Nicholas II of Russia, both pictured on the right, for example. Do you see the family resemblance? They were so alike that when George V went out to meet some Russian tsarist loyalists, whom his military had rescued from the Communist revolution, the Russians reputedly fell to their knees and thanked God that the Tsar was still alive. King George and Tsar Nicholas were first cousins. To be more specific, their mothers were sisters. The King and the Tsar played together as children at their grandparents’ home in Denmark and at the larger family affairs hosted by Queen Victoria, George’s grandmother.

Another royal who spent family holidays with Queen Victoria was Wilhelm II of Germany. He too was a grandson of the Queen and a first cousin of George’s.

They called each other Georgie, Nicky and Willy. They corresponded frequently by letter and by telegram, sharing family news, photographs and stories about their travels. Yet, they warred.

About the author: E P Wohlfart is a twenty-something freelance writer with a Classical Archaeology degree, a laptop and a maxed-out library card. Aside from administrating PastPresenters.com, which she started in 2008, she works with several historical publications and is a regular contributor at Suite101.